According to the July 2012 U.S. Census data, which was
released March 14, Genesee County saw its population drop by 3,645 in the last
year, putting Genesee County's 2012 population at 418,408.

Flint City HallFile Photo

In July 2010 the county's population was 425,152.

The latest Census data released does not break down the
county's number to individual municipalities.

But in 2011 Census data showed Flint's population at 101,558
– nearing that 100,000 mark.

"It would not be surprising for the city to be below the
100,000 threshold by the time of the next census," Walling said.

Walling said data the city is reviewing for its master plan
shows that the city is still losing its population, but at a slower rate than
before. The city's drop in population from 2010-11 was the city's smallest
annual reduction in a number of years, he said.

Walling said any financial impacts from federal programs
wouldn't be felt until after the 2020 census.

Genesee County Land Bank Executive Director Doug Weiland said
most of the foreclosed houses are in Flint, Burton, Mt. Morris, Genesee and
Flint townships.

"I suspect what you have is most of the loss being in the
city of Flint and surrounding communities," Weiland said about the latest data.

Walling said it was encouraging to see the state's
population increase and said as that trend continues, it could possibly bring a
turnaround for counties and cities.

He hopes the county's population could stabilize before the
2020 census.

Dana DeFever can be reached at 810-429-3919 or
ddefever@mlive.com. You can also follow her on Twitter @DanaDeFever or
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